Multiple Choice Questions for Earthquakes - Chapter 16

Each chapter will include a few questions designed to test your knowledge of material covered in the chapter and in the Internet-based resources. Your answers are not being recorded. Try the following.

Which of the following describes the build up and release of stress during an earthquake?

the Modified Mercalli Scale
the elastic rebound theory
the principle of superposition
the travel time difference

The amount of ground displacement in a earthquake is called the _________ .

epicenter
dip
slip
focus

The point where movement occurred which triggered the earthquake is the _______ .

dip
epicenter
focus
strike

Which of the following sequences correctly lists the different arrivals from first to last?

undersea earthquakes
undersea landslides
the eruption of an oceanic volcano
all of these

Which of the following waves is the slowest?

P waves
S waves
Surface waves
tsunami

Which of the following statements is false?

Most earthquakes occur at plate boundaries
The time and location of most major earthquakes can be predicted several days in advance
Earthquakes can be caused by normal, reverse and strike-slip faulting
P waves travel faster than both S waves and Surface waves

Which of the following observations may indicate a forthcoming destructive earthquake?

An increase in the frequency of smaller earthquakes in the region
rapid tilting of the ground
rapid changes in water levels in wells
all of these

Which of the following statements best describes the state of earthquake prediction?

scientists can accurately predict the time and location of almost all earthquakes
scientists can accurately predict the time and location of about 50% of all earthquakes
scientists can accurately predict when an earthquake will occur, but not where
scientists can characterize the seismic risk of an area, but can not yet accurately predict most earthquakes